The Sentier des Granges trail

At the heart of the Monts D’Ardèche Regional Natural Park, Laboule is the ideal starting point for a walk with a variety of contrasting atmospheres. At the summit of the Sentier des Granges trail there is an unparalleled panoramic view (Mont Blanc, Mont Ventoux, Mont Bouquet, Mont Lozère...) a day’s walk across the third-highest summit of the Cévennes range (at 1,548 m) with its rocky mountains and luminous rivers.

Technical sheet

4098902
A Laboule walk posted on 22/11/13 by visorando. Last update : 21/01/18
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.93 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 744 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 741 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,402 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 667 m
  • ⚐
  • ⚐
    District: Laboule (07110)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 44.587823° / E 4.165066°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2838OT

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First grange

Description

Start at the Laboule stopover gite next to the church. Head on through via the steps, to the right of the multi-purpose hall.

(1)Take the path 10 m ahead of the glass cube which heads up to the north-west of the village behind the houses above the car park, follow the mule track marked with yellow and white. Steady climb. After the second barn(follow the right bank), under the hazelnut trees. A new crossing point precedes two hairpin bends and a climb through an oak wooded area, (short, steep climb). narrow passage with a water source, then afterwards a new stream crossing, and then through and out of the beech woods into the gorse heathland.
A long walk across the hillside southwards which leads to the crest of the Pialade. The path follows hairpin turns through the gorse bushes and rejoins a poorly marked pass to the west of a beech wood(small pass). The sheep pen can be seen to the north.

The small track crosses the Anglanier stream. Along long hairpin bends, cross the Redonde plains through the gorse bushes to come out 140 m above the Ranc des Barres. When you arrive on the path, turn right at the crossroads to meet with a sheep enclosure and the GR route.

(5)Follow the path to the summit for 2.5 km (an excellent opportunity to eat lunch with a view over Mont Gerbier des Joncs the source of the River Loire.) Head in an easterly direction towards the Langoustines pass along the Tour du Tanargue GRP route, marked in red and yellow.

(6) At the Cros de L’Aygues, 400 m before the Langoustines pass, head downhill along the southbound DFCI (forest fire prevention pathways) on your right for 5 km which takes a natural approach to Laboule. (Enjoy the magnificent view and take the opportunity to take photos of: Mont Gerbier de Jonc, Cham du Cros, Basse Ardèche, the valleys of Cévennes, Mont Lozère... )
Depending on the amount of rain before your visit, the pebbles on the path may be loose in places.

(7)For braver walkers and those who love steep climbs, at the Langoustines pass, a short extra loop is an option: The tower of Mont Aigu (1 hour 15 minutes) is a beautiful walk before heading back down to Laboule.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 667 m
  2. 1 : km 2.24 - alt. 938 m - Change river bank
  3. 2 : km 2.73 - alt. 1,048 m - Short, hard climb to the right
  4. 3 : km 3.98 - alt. 1,287 m - Small pass
  5. 4 : km 5.37 - alt. 1,389 m - Path joins back with the GR route
  6. 5 : km 8.83 - alt. 1,263 m - Langoustines pass
  7. 6 : km 13.56 - alt. 694 m
  8. S/E : km 13.93 - alt. 670 m

Useful Information

Water available at the ascent.
Be careful when fording during floods.
It is not advisable to walk this route during storms, snow or fog.
Shelter (hunters') half-way down the hill on the descent.
Bring good hillwalking shoes and an IGN map of the area.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

An amazing diversity of vistas all along the walk: views over Mont Gerbier des Joncs, Vercors, and in fair weather even Mont-Blanc, and on the way back down, Mont Ventoux, Cham du Cros, lower Ardèche, Mont Bouquet, and Mont Lozère...
Visit the village of Laboule and its numerous artists and artisans.
Farm produce including local preserves (chestnut, raspberry) at the stopover gite next to the church.

Other walks in the area

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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